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Grit Blasting
Can any member help with a topic that is not often covered. Do we need to earth/ground our grit blasting pot. Also do we need to earth/ground the grit blasting nozzle. Our client is concerned of a build up of static electricity, it is not something I have come across in the past
Bob De Builder
Grit Blasting and static electricity
Bob
I have this info on abrasives used in blasting but you may have it already as you do the operation.
Silica Sand is one of the most economical abrasives, but is very slow cutting and can only be recycled one or two times. Sand is typically sold in grit sizes of course, medium, and fine. Even the fine grit sand contains particles ranging between 70 and 140 grit. The larger particles in this grit size can penetrate the thinner resist materials and ruin an etch job. A serious drawback to using silica sand is that it contains free silica that is considered a hazardous material because it causes silicosis, a form of lung cancer.
Aluminum Oxide is the most widely used abrasive. It does not contain any free silica and is therefore safer to use than sand. The grit size is consistent; it cuts much faster than sand, and can be recycled many times. The only drawback to using Aluminum Oxide is while blasting the oxide generates static electricity which can cause the person blasting to experience mild electrical shocks because of the static electricity that is generated.
Silicon Carbide is commonly referred to as the Cadillac of abrasives. It is the fastest cutting and the longest lasting abrasive without any of the drawbacks of aluminum oxide or silica sand.
Hope this is of some use i have also e-mail you a Standard put together by the HSE for Brunei Shell Companies.
Regards
Eddie
